Romania's Hidroelectrica mulls building 1.5 GW solar park - report

February 8 (Renewables Now) - Romanian hydropower producer Hidroelectrica is considering a plan that envisages the construction of an up to 1.5-GW solar park in southwestern Romania’s Oltenia region, local daily Ziarul Financiar reports.

If built, the photovoltaic (PV) complex will be the largest one in Europe, with its capacity surpassing the future 1,044-MW solar park that Actis-backed Rezolv Energy plans to install in Arad County, western Romania. The clean energy platform bought the specific project from developer Monsson Group and intends to launch construction in the first half of this year.

Hidroelectrica’s proposal would supposedly entail an investment of more than EUR 1.2 billion (USD 1.29bn). The state-controlled company is reported to be looking at European funds to back the scheme. Provided that funding is awarded under Romania’s Resilience Facility, the project should be completed by the end of 2026.

According to the report, the huge complex could be installed on 3,000 ha (7,413 acres) of land directly concessioned by the State Domains Administration (ADS) in Dabuleni, Dolj County.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.072)